Too many cats, dogs suffer at Broward shelter

Almost a decade ago, Broward County commissioners passed a resolution for our county animal shelter to become no-kill. Broward’s homeless animals are still waiting. During the past 10 years, the shelter has been called out multiple times for poor conditions and inhumane treatment of animals. Multiple directors have been brought in to try to remedy the sinking ship. The community sees through this ruse, and the animals continue to suffer.

The shelter is failing to provide basic care of its animals and continues to kill at a high rate. The new director closes shelter intake services and leaves animals on the streets or in the hands of citizens not equipped to care for stray animals. Adoptable pets succumb to kennel stress due to overcapacity and inadequate programs and are killed for reasons of “behavior.”

Euthanasia should be reserved only for irremediably suffering animals, which is not the case in Broward. The citizens of Broward County and its homeless animals deserve a shelter that adheres to the principles of no-kill after waiting for a decade for it to come to fruition. As always, we stand willing and ready to assist in a true no-kill endeavor.

Sloan Cowart, Dania Beach

(Editor’s Note: Asked to respond, Broward Animal Care Division Director Emily Wood said the 2012 no-kill resolution was a goal and that in 2021, 86% of animals were released to the community. She said euthanasia is used only to end irremediable suffering or if an animal poses a threat to the community. Wood said intake services have not closed).